Confucian Willfulness?

Confucian Willfulness?

From A Pebble in the Cosmic Pond by Sabine Wilms PhD

October 21, 2025 · 48 min · Season 4 · Episode 11

About this episode

The episode explores Confucius' teachings on social cohesion, authority, and ethics in today's context.

In today's conversation, I asked for Leo's help in exploring Confucius' teachings on social cohesion, authority, and the creation of harmony in self, family, society, and the world, on the one hand, and on ethics, on following our "mandate from Heaven," and standing steadfast by our values, on the other. What does the classic Confucian pair of virtues, ren "Humaneness" or "compassion" and yi "justice" or "righteousness," mean in today's world and how can we possibly use it for guidance in this moment? Does it change Confucius' message on hierarchical relations when we realize, as Sabine reminds us, that Confucius did not address his teachings to those in the lower position (servants and common people, women, younger men, and children) but to the elite men in charge, or in other words, the rulers, elders, and male heads of households? Most importantly, how did Confucius himself respond in situations where the men in power above him did not act in accordance with the values he held? And how do we apply that to today? Whether you are a person who grew up in a traditional Confucian household and culture or are somebody who is looking at traditional East Asian culture from the outside…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sabine, Sabine Wilms PhD

Guest: Leo

Topics covered

  • Confucian teachings
  • social cohesion
  • authority
  • ethics
  • personal cultivation
  • values
  • hierarchical relations

Keywords

  • Confucius
  • ren
  • yi
  • humaneness
  • justice
  • social harmony
  • traditional culture
  • East Asian culture

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